Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a machine is provided in which a relaxed abduction problem is determined in order to explain the greatest possible part of the observations with the fewest possible assumptions. Based upon two preference orders over a subset of observations and a subset of assumptions, tuples are determined so that the theory together with the subset of assumptions explains the subset of observations. On the basis of the formal validity of the approach certain characteristics of the set of results (such as correctness, completeness, etc.) are checked. By the choice of underlying representational language and the preference relations, the complexity of the problem-solving process is influenced and thus flexibly adapted with regard to domain requirements. The invention may be used for any machines, e.g. gas turbines or steam turbines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, system, and computer software for obtaining system diagnosis, comprising describing a diagnosis domain comprising a plurality of possible diagnoses, prioritizing the plurality of possible diagnoses based on at least one of a plurality of confidence levels, a preference function, and a calculation of a relationship between a plurality of confirmed system symptoms and a plurality of possible diagnoses, generating a plurality of hypotheses for incipient system symptoms, selecting a hypothesis from the generated plurality of hypotheses, obtaining information regarding a plurality of system observations, and obtaining a selection relevant diagnostics for the system.